The Cornell Lab Bird Academy › Discussion Groups › Bird Identification › What is this hawk?
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I saw a hawk today on a utility pole near a Wisconsin farm. It was a buteo that was plain brown above with no significant white marks. Was it a Red-tailed Hawk? (Sorry, no picture)You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
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its not a red tailed as red tails have a mottled back in the shape of a V
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Hmm, cooper's hawks can have a lot of variability, but will have either dark streaked (imm), or buff banded chests. No matter what age, a red tail will have a band of streaks going across its upper chest. Strangely, I don't see the classic brick red tail much, I think because they don't develop it until their 3rd year. Also, overhead, they have dark petagial patches and dark wrist marks. (I watched a hawk webinar last night.)
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Based from your brief description, Cooper Hawk is very popular in the Midwest region.
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It is probably a red tailed hawk.
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Where did you see it?